My Glimpse Of Heaven
"To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne."
Revelation 3:21
Today, as I look out my window, I am drawn to the bright rays of the sun peeking through the clouds, and knowing that you are far above them in Heaven, looking down on me, and all the world around me. I stand in awe today, of your power and your majesty, as to the beautiful world that you have created here on earth, and I can only imagine what the heaven will be like that you have also created for me. I can hardly wait to walk on the streets of gold you have prepared for me, and see and hear the angels filling the air and sounds with their heavenly music. I long to be reunited with my father, my mother, my wonderful wife, my children, my grandchildren, and my grandparents, and spend my eternity there in a great reunion in your beautiful garden. I anticipate getting to spend all my days in your kingdom where there will be no fear, no worry, no sickness and no concern about anything, and being able to live in peace and harmony all my days. I want to experience your presence and spend time with you, in the paradise you have prepared for me. But today Lord, I am still on this beautiful earth, with my earthly family, and as I struggle to obey your commands and do your will, I stand committed to do what you would have me do while I am still in this earthly body. I wait with anticipation for the day you will decide that my time on earth is over, your work in me has been fulfilled, and you will welcome me with open arms to the place you have prepared for me. Thank you Jesus for being my Lord and Savior. and letting me have just a glimpse of what you have prepared for me.
My Daily Devotional Volume Six
May 17
Robert William Brock, Jr.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Monday, February 6, 2012
The Clouds Of Life
The Clouds Of Life
“At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.”
Luke 21:27
Have you ever thought about the significance of the clouds in your life? Without the clouds you wouldn’t be shielded from the burning sun, there would be no lavish sunsets, no beneficial rain and no beautiful landscapes. The most beautiful scenery in any picture is the fluffy clouds floating against a sky of blue. Just looking at a beautiful sunset with the fiery red rays of the sun piercing through the clouds is one of the most beautiful sights you can behold. But the thing that should excite you the most, is knowing that God is behind the clouds. When the storm clouds of life are constantly over your head, and you can relate to the cartoon character in the comic strip Charley Brown, who always had a black cloud constantly over him, look beyond the clouds and you will find God. The Bible says that God will test you with trials and troubles, but won't let you bear more than you can stand. He will always be there to lead and guide you, to overcome any storm of life. God wants you to persevere over any obstacle, but will let you be tested with difficult times so you can learn to trust Him, and put your burdens on His shoulders. You are never alone as Jesus is always with you through your difficult times. He is just behind your clouds to lift you up and carry you. Just as the sun breaks through the clouds, God is there just waiting to let His light shine on you. You will face clouds in life—sometimes slight, but sometimes dark and frightening. Whatever clouds you face today, ask Jesus, the light of the world, to help you look behind the cloud to see His glory, His mercy, His grace and reveal the plans He has for you.
My Daily Devotional Volume Six
May 16
Robert William Brock, Jr.
“At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.”
Luke 21:27
Have you ever thought about the significance of the clouds in your life? Without the clouds you wouldn’t be shielded from the burning sun, there would be no lavish sunsets, no beneficial rain and no beautiful landscapes. The most beautiful scenery in any picture is the fluffy clouds floating against a sky of blue. Just looking at a beautiful sunset with the fiery red rays of the sun piercing through the clouds is one of the most beautiful sights you can behold. But the thing that should excite you the most, is knowing that God is behind the clouds. When the storm clouds of life are constantly over your head, and you can relate to the cartoon character in the comic strip Charley Brown, who always had a black cloud constantly over him, look beyond the clouds and you will find God. The Bible says that God will test you with trials and troubles, but won't let you bear more than you can stand. He will always be there to lead and guide you, to overcome any storm of life. God wants you to persevere over any obstacle, but will let you be tested with difficult times so you can learn to trust Him, and put your burdens on His shoulders. You are never alone as Jesus is always with you through your difficult times. He is just behind your clouds to lift you up and carry you. Just as the sun breaks through the clouds, God is there just waiting to let His light shine on you. You will face clouds in life—sometimes slight, but sometimes dark and frightening. Whatever clouds you face today, ask Jesus, the light of the world, to help you look behind the cloud to see His glory, His mercy, His grace and reveal the plans He has for you.
My Daily Devotional Volume Six
May 16
Robert William Brock, Jr.
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Softly And Tenderly
Softly And Tenderly
" For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found."
Luke 15:24
As I was growing up one of my favorite old hymns was "Softly and Tenderly", which was usually sung at the end of the church service, when the altar call was given. The words now mean much more to me than they did then, as they applied to me personally all throughout my life. Even though I always went to church when I was young, and after Margaret and I were married, she always insisted that we attend church. I went through the motions of being a Christian during these years, but my heart was never in it. The words of the song are "softly and tenderly Jesus is calling, he's calling for you and for me". These words were so true as Jesus was softly and tenderly calling for me to come home. It took over 40 years of my life before I accepted this call and gave my life to Christ and came home, but I am so glad that I did, as my life has never been the same since. Look at the words of this beautiful song below, and let its words minister to your heart, as these precious words will tell you that Jesus is also waiting for you to come home.
Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling,
calling for you and for me;
see, on the portals he's waiting and watching,
watching for you and for me.
Come home, come home;
ye who are weary come home;
earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling,
calling, O sinner, come home!
I pray that God will speak to your heart today about coming home, as He has also been waiting to rejoice with you.
My Daily Devotional Volume IV
May 15
Robert William Brock, Jr.
" For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found."
Luke 15:24
As I was growing up one of my favorite old hymns was "Softly and Tenderly", which was usually sung at the end of the church service, when the altar call was given. The words now mean much more to me than they did then, as they applied to me personally all throughout my life. Even though I always went to church when I was young, and after Margaret and I were married, she always insisted that we attend church. I went through the motions of being a Christian during these years, but my heart was never in it. The words of the song are "softly and tenderly Jesus is calling, he's calling for you and for me". These words were so true as Jesus was softly and tenderly calling for me to come home. It took over 40 years of my life before I accepted this call and gave my life to Christ and came home, but I am so glad that I did, as my life has never been the same since. Look at the words of this beautiful song below, and let its words minister to your heart, as these precious words will tell you that Jesus is also waiting for you to come home.
Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling,
calling for you and for me;
see, on the portals he's waiting and watching,
watching for you and for me.
Come home, come home;
ye who are weary come home;
earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling,
calling, O sinner, come home!
I pray that God will speak to your heart today about coming home, as He has also been waiting to rejoice with you.
My Daily Devotional Volume IV
May 15
Robert William Brock, Jr.
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Are You A Fisher Of Men
Are You A Fisher Of Men
"Come follow me, Jesus said, and I will make you fishers of men."
Matthew 4:19
As I was growing up I spent many wonderful days with my grandfather on the banks of the Cumberland River fishing. These were some of the most peaceful times of my life, just being with my grandfather as our minds were not on our difficulties and struggles, but rather on just talking and spending time together. We both loved to fish, and whether we caught anything or not really didn't matter to us. The Bible tells us that several of the Disciples were fishermen, and I can imagine they also experienced the peace and contentment that fishing can bring. The Bible also tells us that we are all called to be fishermen, however instead of catching fish we are to catch the souls of the lost and unsaved. We are to cast the Gospel in open waters and sit back and hope for a bite, and if we are lucky we can hook someone. Once we catch them, and tell them about Jesus, the rest is up to God. The Bible tells us one more thing that we are to do after we catch them, and that is to make them disciples. Making them disciples is taking them with us as we walk together with Christ, and growing together in fellowship, relationship, love, hope, faith and trust with the Holy Spirit leading us. Being fishers of men is something we are all called to do, and we can do it in all walks of our lives, in our jobs, in our schools, in our neighborhoods, everywhere we go we have an opportunity to lead someone to Christ. This is why it is so important for people to know that you are different, than the world, as your light needs to shine brightly for others to see. God's great commission is for you to go and tell others the Gospel, to share the good news. Fishing can be fun and oh so rewarding, when you lead someone to know Jesus.
My Daily Devotional Volume Six
May 14
Robert William Brock, Jr.
"Come follow me, Jesus said, and I will make you fishers of men."
Matthew 4:19
As I was growing up I spent many wonderful days with my grandfather on the banks of the Cumberland River fishing. These were some of the most peaceful times of my life, just being with my grandfather as our minds were not on our difficulties and struggles, but rather on just talking and spending time together. We both loved to fish, and whether we caught anything or not really didn't matter to us. The Bible tells us that several of the Disciples were fishermen, and I can imagine they also experienced the peace and contentment that fishing can bring. The Bible also tells us that we are all called to be fishermen, however instead of catching fish we are to catch the souls of the lost and unsaved. We are to cast the Gospel in open waters and sit back and hope for a bite, and if we are lucky we can hook someone. Once we catch them, and tell them about Jesus, the rest is up to God. The Bible tells us one more thing that we are to do after we catch them, and that is to make them disciples. Making them disciples is taking them with us as we walk together with Christ, and growing together in fellowship, relationship, love, hope, faith and trust with the Holy Spirit leading us. Being fishers of men is something we are all called to do, and we can do it in all walks of our lives, in our jobs, in our schools, in our neighborhoods, everywhere we go we have an opportunity to lead someone to Christ. This is why it is so important for people to know that you are different, than the world, as your light needs to shine brightly for others to see. God's great commission is for you to go and tell others the Gospel, to share the good news. Fishing can be fun and oh so rewarding, when you lead someone to know Jesus.
My Daily Devotional Volume Six
May 14
Robert William Brock, Jr.
Friday, February 3, 2012
Death The Great Equalizer
Death The Great Equalizer
"What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes."
James 4:14
During the past two years, I have been praying for a young boy named Ethan that was 7 years old when he was diagnosed with a rare type of incurable cancer. This week I received an e-mail from his mother stating that he had died. It does not seem right in my eyes that such a young boy, should have been deprived of not being able to experience all the happiness and joys of life, however in these situations I have to depend on my trust and faith in knowing that this was God's plan for this precious boy. The same day I saw on television that one of the wealthiest men in our country had also died. Death is the great equalizer, as it does not take into account whether you are worth millions of dollars, or whether you died with nothing. The reality is that regardless of your status in life all of you will someday die. At that moment when you take your last breath, the only thing that will matter is your relationship with Jesus Christ, nothing else. This is why the Bible warns us of the foolishness of storing up treasures on earth into the few years we have, as we can't take them with us and they will soon rot and rust away. As the scripture above states we are only a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. What is the main focus of your life today? Is it solely focused on material wealth or are you preparing for your eternal home. Are you using each day to lay up treasure on earth, or to lay up treasure in Glory? Are you working to build a legacy in this temporal world, or are you working to build a legacy that will stand for all eternity? These are serious questions that you need to think about and answer, as death is the great equalizer, as you too will appear for a little time and vanish.
My Daily Devotional Volume Six
May 13
Robert William Brock, Jr.
"What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes."
James 4:14
During the past two years, I have been praying for a young boy named Ethan that was 7 years old when he was diagnosed with a rare type of incurable cancer. This week I received an e-mail from his mother stating that he had died. It does not seem right in my eyes that such a young boy, should have been deprived of not being able to experience all the happiness and joys of life, however in these situations I have to depend on my trust and faith in knowing that this was God's plan for this precious boy. The same day I saw on television that one of the wealthiest men in our country had also died. Death is the great equalizer, as it does not take into account whether you are worth millions of dollars, or whether you died with nothing. The reality is that regardless of your status in life all of you will someday die. At that moment when you take your last breath, the only thing that will matter is your relationship with Jesus Christ, nothing else. This is why the Bible warns us of the foolishness of storing up treasures on earth into the few years we have, as we can't take them with us and they will soon rot and rust away. As the scripture above states we are only a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. What is the main focus of your life today? Is it solely focused on material wealth or are you preparing for your eternal home. Are you using each day to lay up treasure on earth, or to lay up treasure in Glory? Are you working to build a legacy in this temporal world, or are you working to build a legacy that will stand for all eternity? These are serious questions that you need to think about and answer, as death is the great equalizer, as you too will appear for a little time and vanish.
My Daily Devotional Volume Six
May 13
Robert William Brock, Jr.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
The Greatest Gift
The Greatest Gift
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast."
Ephesians 2:8
We kept our 3 year old granddaughter Emma this week, as she is expecting a new brother to be born any time now. While she was here, there were some presents we had wrapped for the new arrival, and she immediately wanted to open them. When we told her she couldn't open them, she began to cry as she loves to open gifts. This should be the perfect example of how we should approach the greatest gift that anyone could give us, and that is the gift Jesus gave us by dying on the cross for our sins. We should be crying for this greatest of all gifts, stomping our feet and fighting for this gift, but the sad fact is that so many won't accept it. This gift of our salvation is one that will fit everyone's budget, it will fit everyone's size, it cannot be taken back and exchanged for something else. It is the perfect gift for any occasion, birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, Christmas, graduations, and so many other occasions. It is a gift that will never wear out, has a guarantee that will last for all eternity. It will never rust, never rot, never tarnish, will never have to be repaired, and it doesn't even need batteries,. We don't even have to spend our money. or use a credit card to get it, as it is given to us free with no strings attached. There is not much in life that is free for the asking, but this gift is one that God will even deliver to your door, as all you have to do is call on Him and He will bring it to you. He will even give you a companion as security, as He will give you the Holy Ghost to watch over you and protect you at all times. Would you like this gift? It is yours, just by asking Jesus to come into your heart. I pray you will accept it.
My Daily Devotional Volume Six
May12
Robert William Brock, Jr
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast."
Ephesians 2:8
We kept our 3 year old granddaughter Emma this week, as she is expecting a new brother to be born any time now. While she was here, there were some presents we had wrapped for the new arrival, and she immediately wanted to open them. When we told her she couldn't open them, she began to cry as she loves to open gifts. This should be the perfect example of how we should approach the greatest gift that anyone could give us, and that is the gift Jesus gave us by dying on the cross for our sins. We should be crying for this greatest of all gifts, stomping our feet and fighting for this gift, but the sad fact is that so many won't accept it. This gift of our salvation is one that will fit everyone's budget, it will fit everyone's size, it cannot be taken back and exchanged for something else. It is the perfect gift for any occasion, birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, Christmas, graduations, and so many other occasions. It is a gift that will never wear out, has a guarantee that will last for all eternity. It will never rust, never rot, never tarnish, will never have to be repaired, and it doesn't even need batteries,. We don't even have to spend our money. or use a credit card to get it, as it is given to us free with no strings attached. There is not much in life that is free for the asking, but this gift is one that God will even deliver to your door, as all you have to do is call on Him and He will bring it to you. He will even give you a companion as security, as He will give you the Holy Ghost to watch over you and protect you at all times. Would you like this gift? It is yours, just by asking Jesus to come into your heart. I pray you will accept it.
My Daily Devotional Volume Six
May12
Robert William Brock, Jr
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Are You A Complainer
Are You A Complainer
"Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation."
Philippians 2:14
Are you thankful for all the things that you have today? If you are, you may be a minority, as almost anywhere you go there are people who are complaining about their health, their finances, their jobs, their spouses and many other issues that are troubling them. People don't seem to be satisfied with very much of anything and are constantly complaining. Today, I want you to concentrate on, not what you want or don't have, but I want you to think about what you do have. If you are alive and reading this devotional, you should be extremely thankful. If you have food on your table, you should be thankful. If you have shelter over your head, you should be thankful. If you can see the flowers around you, you should be thankful. If you can hear the birds chirping, you should be thankful. If you can breathe on your own, you should be thankful. I could go on with more examples of what you should be thankful for, but I want you to realize that there is someone in your own town or neighborhood who doesn't have these things to be thankful for. So often in life we keep wanting more things, and want everything to be better than it is, however things could also be much worse than it is. If you are constantly complaining about what you don't have and your circumstances, try a new approach today and begin thanking God for the things you do have. Break the habit of complaining about everything, and get in the habit of thanking God for everything. Think about the old saying, "Is my cup half full or is it half empty". Be positive and thankful to God for all you have.
My Daily Devotional Volume Six
May 11
Robert William Brock, Jr.
"Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation."
Philippians 2:14
Are you thankful for all the things that you have today? If you are, you may be a minority, as almost anywhere you go there are people who are complaining about their health, their finances, their jobs, their spouses and many other issues that are troubling them. People don't seem to be satisfied with very much of anything and are constantly complaining. Today, I want you to concentrate on, not what you want or don't have, but I want you to think about what you do have. If you are alive and reading this devotional, you should be extremely thankful. If you have food on your table, you should be thankful. If you have shelter over your head, you should be thankful. If you can see the flowers around you, you should be thankful. If you can hear the birds chirping, you should be thankful. If you can breathe on your own, you should be thankful. I could go on with more examples of what you should be thankful for, but I want you to realize that there is someone in your own town or neighborhood who doesn't have these things to be thankful for. So often in life we keep wanting more things, and want everything to be better than it is, however things could also be much worse than it is. If you are constantly complaining about what you don't have and your circumstances, try a new approach today and begin thanking God for the things you do have. Break the habit of complaining about everything, and get in the habit of thanking God for everything. Think about the old saying, "Is my cup half full or is it half empty". Be positive and thankful to God for all you have.
My Daily Devotional Volume Six
May 11
Robert William Brock, Jr.
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